The Olympics in 2024, the U-20 World Cup, and now the U-17 World Cup. Morocco eliminated the United States again and gradually assumed the role of the Yankees' new executioner in the youth classes.
The sequel refers to the former relationship between the USA and Ghana in the 2006, 2010, and 2014 Cups - a recurring presence at decisive moments that exposed structural weaknesses. This time, the fall of the Under-17 reinforces a significant discomfort: the feeling that the technical and physical evolution of the American base has not kept pace with the competitive leap of other emerging teams on the FIFA scene.
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USYNT Starts Strong
The game started very positively for the United States, as it controlled the actions and won most of the duels. It wasn't long before the first goal came out: Cavan Sullivan's great move, and Jude Terry — LAFC player — opening the scoreboard.
With the initial dominance and 1 to 0 on the scoreboard, everything indicated a smooth outcome, especially since the rest of the first stage was possession on the attacking field and Morocco well retreated.
Twist in the Second Half
The start of the second half was also all in the United States.
The Moroccan crowd returned singing louder, but that didn't stop Mathis Albert from taking a penalty.
He himself went to the collection... and lost. That mistake set the Moroccans on fire and changed the game completely.
After that, head coach Gonzalo Segares retreated the team, abdicated the attack, and the young Americans spent practically all their time defending. Morocco drew once, but the assistant eventually cancelled the goal.
It took a long time — but in 89 minutes, Abdellah Ouazane left three Americans behind and scored the tie. There were still another 7 minutes of absolute pressure, but the game went to penalty kicks.
Penalties: the Bitter Outcome
Cavan Sullivan opened for the United States, scoring his last goal in the competition. Next, Cooper Sanchez squandered, followed by Chase Adams and Mathis Albert who scored. When Aidan Stokes finally defended, the match was left at Máximo Carrizo's feet, but the NYCFC youngster squandered it. The United States eliminated Morocco once again, this time at the Under-17 World Cup.
More than the United States Under-20 soccer team, this Under-17 had real chances of winning a title. However, as has been the case in every category, including the first team under Gregg Berhalter, there is a sense of negativity and limitation.
Segares, like Marko Mitrovic and Berhalter, seems to be a great coach. The players like him, that's clear. But on the technical and tactical side, which is what really makes the difference, the coaches once again show profound limitations. And that ultimately limits a generation that is perhaps the most talented in the history of youth classes in the United States.
Despite the clear advance of soccer in the country, this progress needs to be transformed into something sustainable. Brazil has not yet learned to value what truly flourishes - as if great talents were going to appear in series every year, simply because there is a project.
Another duo like Cavan Sullivan and Mathis Albert will not appear anytime soon.
Such a strong base with Carrizo, Chase Adams, and Julian Hall will not emerge anytime soon.
And all of this was squandered by the insistence on keeping a coach who “works well with the group”. It's a shame. Now they're coming home.
The United States first team will take the field tomorrow, continuing the preparation for the 2026 World Cup.
The United States vs. Paraguay match takes place in Chester, Pennsylvania, at Subaru Park, home of the Philadelphia Union.
Cover image: USYNT
